Manslaughter charge filed in Hagerstown man's Nov. death

February 15, 2008

A Rouzerville, Pa., man has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a 22-year-old who was found dead from a head injury in his Liberty Street home in November.

Police say Darrow Lee Shupp, 29, of 1827 Broad Street, punched the victim, knocking him out and causing him to fall and strike his head on the pavement, according to charging documents filed in Washington County District Court.

Shupp, who also was charged with second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, and the charges were forwarded to Washington County Circuit Court.

The victim, Blake Michael Crampton, was found dead Nov. 19 when his mother went to check on him, Hagerstown Police Detective Shane Blankenship wrote in charging documents.

A friend who was with Crampton the night of Nov. 17 into the early hours of Nov. 18 told police that Crampton was knocked unconscious during a fight with Shupp outside the house, Blankenship wrote.

The friend dragged Crampton inside, where he eventually came to and said he was OK, and the friend went home, Blankenship wrote.

The death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy showed Crampton died of brain injury from blunt-force trauma to the head, Blankenship wrote.

An arrest warrant against Shupp was issued Jan. 10. Shupp appeared before a district court commissioner Jan. 14 and posted $3,500 bond. He spent no time in jail.

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